Scientists in Brazil are currently testing to see if the venom of an Amazonian scorpion could be used to poison breast cancer tumors. Researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP) have long worked to clone and express proteins from rattlesnake and scorpion venom with hopes of transforming these powerful […]
Hundreds of wild animals rescued from a ‘fur and urine farm’ in Ohio
Earlier this year, the Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office called in the Humane Society of the United States (now Humane World for Animals) to rescue hundreds of wild animals living in horrific conditions on a “fur and urine farm” near Cleveland, Ohio. The owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in December 2024, making the conditions […]
Beaches reopen after bull shark kills Swiss tourist with police reviewing GoPro footage from scene
A shark that attacked two people on a remote New South Wales beach – killing a woman and wounding her partner – is unlikely to pose an ongoing threat, experts say. Police are reviewing GoPro footage from the scene, which may shed more light on how the attack unfolded. A Swiss couple were swimming at […]
How Pangolins Became the World’s Most Trafficked Mammal
Pangolins, often described as walking artichokes or modern-day dinosaurs, are extraordinary creatures that have roamed the Earth for millions of years. Despite their unique evolutionary adaptations and gentle nature, these remarkable mammals now face an existential crisis. Each year, tens of thousands of pangolins are poached from the wild, pushing all eight species toward extinction. […]
Central America’s forests are crucial for migrating birds: Study
As winter closes in across much of North America, migratory birds are heading south to warmer climes and more abundant food. But until recently, scientists didn’t have a good understanding of exactly where they went. Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology U.S. analyzed observations from eBird, a global […]
Think toads are ugly? Think again – as these stunning beauties will change your mind
Who said toads were ugly? If ever one of these much-maligned amphibians was destined to become a prince, then surely one of the stubfoots (or harlequins) from the genus Atelopus of South and Central America could be it, says Stuart Blackman. These startling creatures are every bit as eye-catching as the region’s more celebrated poison […]
Raccoons Are Quietly Evolving In Our Cities And It Says A Lot About Us
Urban raccoons have always been little legends of the night, popping open bins, trotting across rooftops and giving us that startled wide eyed look when we flick on a light. But a fascinating new study suggests these bold visitors may be changing in ways that go far beyond funny videos or viral sightings. According to […]
Puffin numbers down by almost a quarter on Farne Islands, annual survey shows
A survey of puffins on the internationally important Farne Islands has shown a drop in numbers of almost a quarter. The National Trust which looks after the islands off the Northumberland coast said the long-term trend needed to be monitored and cautioned against interpreting it as a sudden population decline. The number of breeding pairs […]